Bare

I wrote this poem for my AP Literature class and decided, to my surprise, that I actually quite like it.

This is a vilanelle about vulnerability and fragility: When you put your heart on the line, or act out of passion, just leaping into something without counting the cost, you must be exceedingly careful to avoid getting wounded. That passionate plundge leaves you exposed and vulnerable with your heart in the open and uncovered. The heart is indeed, such a fragile thing.

BARE

Step cautiously when soles are unclothed.
One foot at a time is preferred.
You cannot test the water with both.

The sticks and briers in the woody grove
Tear the soul’s flesh and leave it uncured.
Step cautiously when soles are unclothed.

Recurring prints I’ve come to loath.
Both feet remember those lessons learned.
So you cannot test the water with both.

Heart and sole make a fragile trove
And two feet mean for more wounds incurred.
Step cautiously when soles are unclothed.

Now to the edge of the miry cove,
Where the plunge is tempting and yet deferred-
You cannot test the water with both.

I danced on my toes but foolishly dove.
Now to be safe, I need heed this word:
Step cautiously when soles are unclothed
For you cannot test the water with both.

Raise Your Hand

I find is strange but stunning the scene of a body of people raising their hands.

In most instances, raising a hand leads to someone pointing their finger at you, calling on you, and a response coming from your lips. Being called on- that's what it really is about. Raising your hand is a means of getting someone to call on you.

Yet, the funny thing about God is, He's called on us prior to our act of hand-raising. He always is calling on us- to speak to Him, cry to Him, sing to Him. No waving hands wildly or bouncing in your seat to get His attention. When we raise our hands, we are responding to His constant call. Raising hands is not a means of getting Him to call on you- It is you calling back to Him.

There's something about a body of people, all calling on Him, hands in the air, unashamed, that is so unmatched in beauty that you can either choose to look on in wonder or join in the glorious act.

Thanks be to God who calls on us before we raise our hands.


And Phil Wickham concerts ;)

Beauty

Beauty is malleable.
Imperfection is beautiful.
This is what I've come to learn.
The end.